Towering giants
stretch their bare arms
To cloudy sky
Weekend dreamers
Slumber in warm cocoons
As quiet reigns
Soft breeze
Gently stirs bushes…rustling
In morn’s dim glow
Feathered residents
Silently huddle in chilly patience
Winging fleetingly aloft
Footsteps sound
Crunching on dry grass and leaves
Delivering morning meals
Nipped nose
Draws in crisp fresh air
This mid-winter morn
Charlotte-Anne Allen
• Life is a miracle in form and spirit
• There is beauty in the simplest of things around you
• The fragility of life can be daunting
• When you are shattered much is revealed about yourself
• Embrace positive thoughts and healthy ways
• Ideas and inspiration give birth to greatness
• Change happens when cracks form in life
• Transformation and change can be painful
• There is growth and potential when we persevere
• Sometimes growth can be messy
• Rolling with situations can reduce stress and avoid crashes
• Renew, refresh as each evening you rest
• Much amazing good can come from single small beginnings
• God is our source of nourishment and strength
– From “Reflections from the Everyday”
Charlotte-Anne Allen
“Yaaay!!!” I joined the mob of other kids streaming from the school. Faces were excited and energy was high. The beginning of summer vacation was a long-awaited event! Thoughts of free time, lazy mornings, and summer events filled our minds. Visits to relatives, camping trips, fresh garden food, and (for me) frequent travel to the local libraries to keep my summer reading stack replenished were welcome plans. I still look forward to the warm weather and the change of pace that this season brings. Each season in life is a time of new beginnings.
The Bible is full of stories of beginnings. Some of them were very hard and others were most welcome. What do I do with my beginnings? Times change and events impact our lives, with my family (births, farewells, deaths) … in my work (saying good-bye to a child I have worked with and their family) … my church (as I move from one area of service or commitment to another) … and in the changing responsibilities and seasons throughout the year. Endings mark beginnings.
What thoughts do you have about your own beginnings? As in the excitement of summer, resolve to enter with a positive attitude and assurance of God’s presence and guidance for whatever may come. Whether our beginnings are marked with anticipation or with anxiety, we can take courage.
Ecclesiastes chapter three begins with acknowledgement that “for everything there is a season,” times for beginnings and endings… and new beginnings, and so life goes on. The writer continues with,
“What gain have the workers from their toil?
I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with.
He has made everything suitable for its time.
Moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds…
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy
and enjoy themselves as long as they live.
Moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil.” *
As we move with intent in our work and in our rest, I hope that we can look with anticipation and interest. My prayers are that we will take comfort, even excitement, and be strengthened as we face new beginning through our more challenging times. May we remember and know afresh God’s presence with us. As we come to Him in prayer and give thanks for His gifts each day, may we be blessed through our beginnings.
*Ecclesiastes 3:1, 9-12
from “Reflections from the Everyday”
Oh, anticipation and beginnings
Of firsts and next and looking ahead
Of getting up and rise fall rise
Of prayers and plans and seeking quests
Of strength hope joy to follow a path
Of steps begun walk onward
from “OF… Songs of Life” Charlotte-Anne Allen
I looked to God this morning
And thanked Him for this day.
I asked for Him to guide me
In all I do and say.
The promise of beginnings
Amidst our new farewells,
Greets renewed assurance
When questions would assail.
I know my Father loves me.
He cares for one and all.
Oh Father, ever with me,
May I be faithful to Your call.
The Still Small Voice 